In a stunning admission that contradicts his public stance, former President Donald Trump has revealed he would have pursued the same fundamental withdrawal strategy from Afghanistan as President Joe Biden, despite repeatedly lambasting the operation's execution.
The Political Double-Standard Exposed
While Trump has consistently criticised Biden for what he called the "most embarrassing moment in American history" following the Taliban's rapid takeover of Kabul, the former president privately acknowledges their approaches would have been strikingly similar.
"He also said he would have done the same thing," revealed a source familiar with Trump's private conversations, highlighting the significant gap between his public rhetoric and private admissions.
Doha Agreement: The Trump Legacy
The foundation for America's Afghanistan exit was laid during Trump's administration through the 2020 Doha Agreement with the Taliban. This deal committed the US to complete withdrawal by May 2021 in exchange for Taliban security guarantees.
- Original withdrawal deadline: May 2021 (Trump administration)
- Actual withdrawal completion: August 2021 (Biden administration)
- Key difference: Timing and execution, not fundamental strategy
Political Fallout and Public Perception
Despite their strategic alignment, Trump has weaponised the chaotic Kabul evacuation scenes for political advantage. The dramatic images of desperate Afghans clinging to US aircraft became symbolic of what critics called a poorly managed departure.
Biden administration officials have consistently defended their decision, arguing they inherited a difficult situation with limited options. "We were dealing with an agreement made by the previous administration that essentially tied our hands," one official noted anonymously.
The Human Cost of Withdrawal
The rapid Taliban advance caught many by surprise, leading to:
- Chaotic evacuation scenes at Kabul airport
- Stranded Afghan allies who assisted US forces
- Heightened security concerns throughout the region
- Ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
This revelation comes as both potential 2024 presidential contenders continue to debate foreign policy approaches, with Afghanistan remaining a contentious political football in US politics.
